Yes! Australian presence is multiplying rapidly around Hyderabad
and in the Districts around it! With encouragement from Government (NABARD) and
experts in this Australian business, local people have taken interest in this new
occupation and seem to be making reasonably good profits. It is a business
involving supply of healthy food, a variety of medicines and fashionable goods!
I am talking about EMU, the National bird of Australia. Far from
its native habitat in Australia, these flightless Emu birds can now be found in
several numbers at various farms around Hyderabad. FARMING of Emu birds is taking
place on a very large scale, along every road and highway leading to the city
and at many other adjoining places.
Emu bird is the second largest surviving bird in the world after
the Ostrich. It is a very commonly found bird in Australia. At the top of this
article you can see pictures of these birds (However, the birds in Photos No. 4
and 5; are of Ostriches in Hyderabad). The flightless Emu birds can grow up to
a height of 2 mtrs., that is 6 & ½ feet and weigh up to 60 kgs. They are
brown in color, with short wings and soft feathers. They have long and thin;
but very strong necks and legs. Emu birds can travel great distances at a fast
rate, they can at times sprint at 50 km/hour that is 31 mph. And they are very
good swimmers. Normally Emu birds live up to over 35 years.
As these birds can adapt to a variety of climatic conditions
ranging from the cold winters to the extreme heat, they are now being raised
throughout the world. The reason for the growth of Emu Farms is the increasing
demand for its Meat, Oil, Skin, Eggs and Claws. The meat is available at
Inorbit Mall since long, and it is now available at Spar too. Emu meat is being
projected as tasty and pleasing red meat, packed with protein and rich in Iron
and Vitamin B12. This red meat is said
to be an excellent alternative for health conscious consumers who love the
taste of traditional red meat but desire lower cholesterol, lower fat and
calories. Today’s health conscious consumers are very happy with Emu meat. We
tried this meat and found it tasty. The tenderness and texture of Emu meat
enables it to be prepared in a variety of ways.
Emu oil is said to be nature’s “perfect emollient”, a superb
trans-dermal carrier that promotes healing from the inside out. It is used as a
natural anti-aging agent, as a moisturizer, to reduce Keloid scarring, it is
used for lowering cholesterol levels and for faster healing of burn injuries, and
it is used as an anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic medicine.
Each bird yields about 9 sq.ft of soft and smooth skin which is
in great demand in leather industry. The feathers are used in fashion industry,
toy making and as feather dusters. The Claws and Eggs are used in making a
variety of souvenirs.
It is easy to rear Emu birds. The shelter and other requirements
are minimal and they can be easily fed with seasonal vegetables though they are
accustomed to eating some worms in the wilderness.
Emu bird farming means no risk business with assured profits on
every part of the birds!
